After their big win, Democrats hammered home their stance on Ryan's budget plan. |
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House Democrats, for their part, crowed about their victory in the New York special. With wealthy tea party candidate Jack Davis dumping more than $2 million into the race, Democrat Kathy Hochul easily defeated Republican Jane Corwin. Republicans blame Davis for Corwin’s loss, while Democrats claim the race was all about Medicare and the GOP plan to “dismantle the program.”

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California — who was targeted by tens of millions of dollars of GOP ads during the 2009-10 cycle — said Hochul’s victory “sends a clear message that will echo nationwide: Republicans will be held accountable for their vote to end Medicare.” Pelosi never got closer to the Buffalo-area race than New York City, part of a deliberate effort to keep her away from Hochul.

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Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel of New York — who is attempting to work “Medicare” into every sentence he utters — told ABC News that there “were three fundamental lessons that both Democrats and Republicans learned from the special election in New York, and they are Medicare, Medicare and Medicare.”

Even the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee sent out a fundraising solicitation, using Hochul’s victory as a hook to ask donors for more money.

“Democrats won despite a huge Karl Rove cash infusion because of a tough campaign, backed by enough grass-roots support to offset their special interest money,” DSCC Chairwoman Patty Murray of Washington wrote in an email to supporters. “This is a clear sign that momentum is on the Democratic side!”

House Democrats, who had been using the slogan “Drive for 25!” to describe their campaign to win back the House, have adopted a new one in the wake of Hochul’s win: “24 More!”

Republicans, like the Democrats of the past Congress, tried to calmly fend off the Democratic onslaught. Ryan, the author of the Medicare reform plan, accused Democrats of “demagoguery” and “scare tactics,” but he offered a complicated response to questions on his Medicare proposal, demonstrating the communications challenge Republicans face in the months ahead.

“I saw the ads,” Ryan said in an interview on MSNBC. “I saw burning people’s Medicare cards. If you can scare seniors into thinking that their current benefits are being affected, that’s going to have an effect. And that is exactly what took place here. So yes, yes, it’s demagoguery. It’s scaring seniors.”

Yet Republicans used similar talking points in taking on the Democratic health care bill during the past Congress, only to see them used against the GOP this time. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) said, “You’re going to die sooner” if the Democratic health care bill was enacted. Boehner said it was “about as unpopular as a garlic milkshake.”

The GOP freshman class, which has driven the Capitol Hill debate on spending and deficits all year, also vowed to stick with the Ryan Medicare plan, even if it costs them at the polls next year.

“If I end up losing an election in 2012 based upon me telling the truth and based upon the facts, well then, ladies and gentlemen, we’ve got a bigger issue in the United States of America than me winning or losing an election,” said Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.). “We’ve got an issue that there are people in our country who don’t want to hear the truth.”

Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.), the freshman class president, rejected the notion that Medicare would even be a negative campaign issue.

“I do not think it sets the tone for the next election in any way, shape or form,” Scott said. “I think the person who offers the solution to the deficit, to Medicare, to Medicaid, to Social Security, is going to be the person who will win.”

Scott added: “The next generation [of Americans] is more important than the next election.”

Readers' Comments (33)

!6 unelected bureaucrats are more trustworthy than the elected Republican politicians of recent years who have chosen to behave like gangsters and not as representatives charged to further well-being of American people. This is really sad for our democracy. When we have a good President, we should not burden ourselves with bad congress to nullify progress.

16 unelected bureaucrats are more trustworthy than the elected Republican congressman of recent years who have chosen to behave like gangsters and not as people's representatives charged to further well-being of all American people. When we have a good President, we should not burden ourselves with bad congress bent on nullifying progress. Thank you.

That they should drop attempt to reform Medicare and Medicare is a media manufactured narrative of the sort we've come to expect from an agenda driven activist media. The amateurish Poiitico is right up in front of that disingenuous pack as its JournoList veterans soldier on.

If anything, the GOP'ers should learn that they have to be much more assertive in countering the Democrat propaganda campaign. They've been far too lame in advancing the argument, relying far too heavily on facts alone while Democrats play to emotion.

GOP pundits are not on the same page as those who voted in 2010 .... neither are House Republicans ...

Maybe it's just time for the "Tea-Party" to get it's own Presidential Candidate (if but for no more that begin the process of an alert to Republicans that they are in a "No More Bull" mood.)

If a "Real Tea-Party Candidate" becomes a reality then (at least) the "Voice of a Do No Harm in Cuts" can be heard...

and as well... (some, if not all)

Republicans learn that we tried "Trickle Down" that Never trickles down to Community Banks where "New Industry Startups

are really created = Jobs!

Sidebar: [ "We, as a Nation, are not broke. Our Largest Corporations are currently sitting on approximately 1.9 Trillion in Profit assets that could provide venture capital and "Start-up Funding" for a NASA-type Energy/R & D/Infrastructure Project that would 1) Create Millions of Jobs 2) Free Our Nation from Middle East Oil 3) Restore Our Role in Global Leadership. -plus- Medicare can be saved witha simple "Means Test" duh?]

Silly me, but if we don't do SOMETHING with critical entitlements, won't there be NO ENTITLEMENTS.

And when that happens it will be amid scenarios which make Sept 15, 2008 look like lunch out?

I don't think Oabam care will reduce this problem, and it will NOT REDUCE IT, amid 15 untouchable medictators who will determine the type and AMOUNT of care given to those who might have other choices under Ryan's plan. Should we all not be able to choose whether we accept GOVT DICTATED CENTRALLY PLANNED SINGLE CODED CARE, or MAYBE... MAYBE.... pay something for more diversified care?

What I see now are unpleasant choices. But I see only one party, and only one small part of that one party even making the ATTEMPT to deal.

The other side still actually believes this is like patronage jobs at animal control and they are handing out small time political favors for some local advantage, just writ a bit larger.

Why is it so difficult for the leadership of the Republican party to articulate what the Obamacare program really means for the average American citizen and taxpayer......why? These guys walk around Washington like they are in some kind of cloud and that due to their successes in 2010 they are mandated to kick Obama out in 2012.........well they had better get their head out of the sand and wake up. They do a terrible job of explaining to the American people what Paul Ryan's plan will do and won't do!! And the good citizens of America had better start paying "real" attention to the differences between Obamacare and the Ryan budget reforms and how it affects Medicare. It seems that these "good citizens" what reductions to entitlements and government handouts until it affects them and then it is hands-off!! Kind of like kick the incumbents out except for my incumbent. Wake up America before it is too late........we still have a chance to take our country back!!

Yes, I really want to see the GOP continuing the spin that replacing Medicare (an insurance plan) with deflating discount coupons for private insurance is somehow "saving Medicare". No one beyond a handfull of right wing Tea Party ideologues believes that gibberish, but it's fun to watch the GOP leadership say it with a straight face.

I don't think that anyone was really "shocked" that Hochul won. Corwin was a poor candidate, and her robocalls could be catagorized as harassment. The Repubs couldn't have orchestrated a better loss if they tried.

I don't think that anyone was really "shocked" that Hochul won. Corwin was a poor candidate, and her robocalls could be catagorized as harassment. The Repubs couldn't have orchestrated a better loss if they tried.

Corwin lost on the Medicare issue. Republicans have won in solidly GOP districts with remarkably mediocre characters (check out Lyn Westmoreland in GA-3). The American public loves Medicare, and doesn't want it to be dismantled.

The American public loves Medicare, and doesn't want it to be dismantled.

Other than criticising the GOP's idea's, Democrats don't seem to have any strategy to address reports like these:

May 14, 2011

The trustees overseeing Social Security and Medicare delivered a bleak report Friday on the programs' long-term prospects. They projected that rising costs will render the Medicare trust fund for hospital care insolvent in 2024, five years sooner than expected\

If the GOP has lost this seat, they must be really concerned about the 30-35 House seats which went for Obama in 2008 and which the GOP won in 2010 by only 1-3 percentage points. When all of those Democrats come back out and vote in 2012, and with the GOP trying to kill Medicare, it's going to be Speaker Pelosi all over again.

Now the GOP message is they want to save Medicare...OMG give me a break,the GOP has always wanted to kill Medicare the 1st day it became law..The American people better wakup,before its to late,because if the GOP win back the Whitehouse,and the Senate it means the American people can kiss Medicare,Medicaid,Unemployment,Low income Housing,and the Food stamp programs goodbye.The GOP wants to destroy every program the Democrats created to help people,its just that simple people.

Where's the plan from the democrats for saving Medicare and SS? They do not have one! Until they have one their criticism of the Ryan Plan rings hollow.

Also, An election with a fake tea party candidate (individual ran three times before as a Democrat) and a democrat candidate willing to actually lie about what the Paul Ryan Plan will do for our seniors. People get educated before you vote or we will all lose, especially our children and grandchildren.

I am 54 and what I see is doing something now to fix the problem including something that might not be the most beneficial for me is necessary. Doing nothing and burying your head in the sand the way most of the Democrats and some of the Republicans are doing will only create a bigger problem with more pain down the road.

What the Republicans/conservatives need to do is to get their message out and explain what Obamacare will do to seniors. Whether you believe it or not it will ration care, you only have to look at RomneyCare in Mass to know that.

Expose the lies, expose the fake tea party candidates, explain your plan, be courageous and bold, this applies to both Democrats and Republicans. Let the people decide on your issues not the crap that I see was put out during this election. People you need to do your homework, vote from knowledge not from the crap both parties seem to be putting out lately.

Paul Ryan, I think you are courageous and have tried to give this Country options, where no one else will. Bravo and I will support you for being the first and the most concerned for his Country.

YOU CAN STICK A FORK IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY...THE GOP NEEDED 60% OF THE WHITE VOTE TO BEAT OBAMA IN 2012,NOW THEYRE BE LUCKY TO GET 55%..THE GOP COULDNOT AFFORD TO LOSE ANY WHITE VOTERS,SO WHY WOULD THE GOP ALIENATE THE ONE GROUP WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THEM WITH OVER 60% OF THEYRE VOTE SINCE THE REAGAN YEARS? SENIORS.